Dangerous Craving

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An Excerpt From: DANGEROUS CRAVING

Copyright © SAVANNAH STUART, 2011

All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc.

His eyes widened and he actually had to blink. A flash of hot then cold curled through his body like a violent electric shock. It was her.

Nissa.

Her long, blonde hair was piled on her head in some sort of twist thing. It should have looked messy, but it was exquisite. Just like her. The shimmery gold dress—if she could even call that scrap of material a dress—fell against her willowy frame like it was a second skin. Among a sea of tanned, bronzed people, her ivory skin seemed to glow.

Around her, men and some women turned to stare. Part of it was because of her ethereal beauty but another reason was because of her natural appeal. Just like vampires, that same sensual magnetic pull emanated from all fae. It was just more prominent in her because she was royalty.

When her emerald-green eyes locked on his he forgot to breathe. Nearly a century had passed but she was just as he remembered. Some days he wondered if he’d created an illusion in his mind. But this was no figment of his imagination.

This was flesh, blood and pure sin in a dress. And she held the key to his heart. He might try to claim it was only a physical desire, but he wanted all of her. Mind, body, soul.

A hollowness settled in his chest as he remembered the last words they’d shouted at each other. The anger he’d felt when he thought she’d betrayed him. And then the inevitable suffering when he realized he’d been wrong. So fucking wrong.

“See you guys later,” he muttered, not caring how rude he sounded.

He hurried toward the exit of the VIP room. When he pushed past the curtain, she stood at the bottom stair, one hand haughtily placed on her hip as she stared up at him expectantly.

He didn’t remember moving but suddenly he was standing in front of her. “Nissa.” After so long, her name felt foreign on his lips but her scent was familiar. She was like a sweet summer day. Fresh and intoxicating.

Addictive.

For a moment she looked almost nervous. Then her composed mask slipped back into place. “It’s been a long time, Thomas.” Her soft, slightly Irish accent rolled over him with an intimate warmth he missed. Despite having lived practically everywhere in Europe, she held on to a faint Celtic accent and it still drove him wild.

Nissa fought all her instincts to turn and flee. She’d forgotten how tall and intimidating Thomas was. And how quickly her brain short circuited in his presence. Around him she had to be strong, though. If he knew how much she still cared for him…she couldn’t bear the shame. When he didn’t respond, she cleared her throat. “Aren’t you going to say hello or buy me a drink?”

His dark eyes narrowed. Wordlessly, he reached out and grasped her wrist. Not hard, but he put enough pressure on her that she couldn’t pull away. Before she realized what he intended he turned and dragged her with him.

Despite the fact that they were surrounded by so many people, everything else around her funneled out as they continued behind one of the bars, through a swinging door, up a set of stairs and finally into a quiet office.

Definitely Thomas’ office by the look of it. The furniture was old, big and with lots of polished dark wood. Very masculine. Very him.

“Please have a seat.” He motioned toward one of the plush leather chairs in front of his desk.

Nervously, she sat on the edge and crossed her legs. To keep her hands busy she traced her fingers over the intricate stitching of the chair. Maybe she shouldn’t have gone with such a short dress but she’d wanted to get his attention. It rode up against her legs revealing a lot of skin and reminded her how he’d kissed and licked every inch of her once. When his dark gaze raked over her legs she knew he was remembering the same thing.